Byelection forum dominated by Israel, climate change and refugee issues as new poll suggests Kerryn Phelps in a winning position

The surprise announcement by the prime minister, Scott Morrison, on Tuesday that Australia may relocate its embassy to Jerusalem appears to have divided Wentworth’s Jewish community, a forum on Tuesday night suggested.

The forum featured four candidates running in Saturday’s byelection and was hosted by the Jewish Board of Deputies. There was applause for the Liberal candidate, Dave Sharma, as he explained the government’s new position, though others appeared to back the assessment by the independent Kerryn Phelps that the policy was nothing more than “a politically motivated move”.